This is a Columbia Valley wine which would be pleasant anf fresh chilled if it wasn't for the nasty, petrolium odor. I've experienced this before in Reislings in varying degrees and it may dissipate wth air. If it does, this is a nice summer wine and will pair well with many things including more difficult foods to pair with like Asian or lighter Mexican fare. We will have it with fish tacos.

This is a terrific white wine that shouldn't be overlooked. From the beautiful Spanish region of Rias Baixas to the North of Portugal, the Albarino grape produces bright and fruity wine that;s packed with flavor. For $13, you can't go wrong here. Raise a glass!

There's intensity and depth to this Cabernet that showcases classic Napa Valley character. It's big and bold yet also dense and refined.

I've sampled many of the recent vintages of this wine, and it's remarkably good every year. Priced at $80 or so, it's not cheap but worth the splurge. Grill a porterhouse, breath this wine, and you'll have a dinner to remember. Raise a glass!

Fresh and flavorful, this wine packs it in. With good acidity to drive the finish, there's a lot to like here on a warm evening with a piece of fish or some scallops. Normally priced at $15, mix up your white wine rotation with this South African value. Be sure to read the back label. And raise a glass!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Rich, layered finish of black cherry, menthol, and chocolate on the finish

Summary:

An interesting Rhone-style blend, this wine is made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Counoise. It opens nicely with a range of flavors and has good texture. Drink it young, and pour it with rich food or to sip on its own. Expect to pay $17 or so. Raise a glass!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Fragrant, ripe, wild berries and cherry complimented by coffee notes on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Beautiful layers of tea, wild berries, cedar, and chocolate on the finish

Summary:

This is an outstanding wine and I've been wanting to try it for a while. It's considered to be one of the great wines of Chile. I had the good forture of grabbing a bottle on closeout for $40, and at this price I'd buy a lot more. The problem is, the wine usually retails for $90.

The 2004 is drinking incredibly well, probably at its peak. It has ripe fruit and lots of layers, all of which are beautifully integrated and harmonious. A real treat for sure.

Pour this with good friends and enjoy the richness and length that will compliment a wide variety of fine dishes. Savor the moment, and raise a glass!

This wine is big and bold, yet polished and classy. It has ripe fruit and a remarkable texture that brings it all together. At $27 it's a great example of the world-class Syrah that can be produced in Washington state. Drink with a rich meal and enjoy the last glass after dinner.

Dark berries and currants with some vegetal and oak notes on the finish

Summary:

I saw some good reviews of this wine, but I disagree. This wine has too much of a vegetal note and the oak is poorly integrated in an attempt to add richness and depth. Carmenere has become a specialty of Chile, but it can be tricky to produce at the lower price points and can easily result in my description above. For $10-12, I recommend a Chilean Cabernet or Merlot instead, and there are many good ones. Price isn't everything, but the Carmerere bottled at $30 and up is typically excellent and memorable which suggests that this grape will continue to thrive in Chile. I'll be on the lookout for a better value Carmenere, so stay tuned. In the meantime, raise a glass of a great value Cab from Chile instead!

My tasting notes finished with: nice, rich, stylish, and sturdy. Darioush is known for its big, bold Cabernets which I've had a number of times. This was my first opportunity to sample the Shiraz. I was impressed how stylish this wine is rather than simply an attempt at a highly extracted red. It should cellar well, too. At $68, it's no steal but it tastes great. Raise a glass!

There are pure flavors in this wine that are intense and extracted. The dark berries, currants, and black licorice present a modern style and one that showcases the potential intensity of the Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grape. From the Ribera del Duero region of Spain, this wine is produced from a highly acclaimed winemaker and retails for $45 or so. It compliments grilled or roasted meat nicely. Raise a glass!

I paid $8 for this reduced Bordeaux (normally $15) and I'll grab 3 more to lay down another year. It is probably peaked based on the color at the rim but another year might yield something worth the wait. Classic Bordeaux so raise a glass.

I was lovin this until the dull lack of acidity rather killed it for me. It's not a bad wine at all, it is merely my preference that a wine has a razor edge to it. But all in all its a good example of the wine. For around $12 raise a glass.